Right-sided maze procedure for right atrial arrhythmias in congenital heart disease.
BACKGROUND
Atrial fibrillation and flutter, commonly associated with congenital heart anomalies that cause right atrial dilatation, may cause significant morbidity and reduction of quality of life, even after surgical repair of the anomalies.


METHODS
In an effort to reduce the incidence of atrial tachyarrhythmias after repair of right-sided congenital heart disease, we performed a concomitant right-sided maze procedure.


RESULTS
Eighteen patients with paroxysmal atrial fibrillation or flutter (n = 12) or chronic atrial fibrillation or flutter (n = 6) aged 10.9 to 68.4 years (mean 34.9 years) underwent a right-sided maze in association with repair of Ebstein's anomaly (n = 15), congenital tricuspid insufficiency (n = 2), and isolated atrial septal defect (n = 1). There were no early deaths, reoperations, or complete heart block. Discharge rhythm was sinus (n = 16) or junctional (n = 2). Follow-up was complete in all 18 patients and ranged from 3.1 to 17.2 months (mean 8.1 months); all are in New York Heart Association class I. Early postoperative arrhythmias developed in 3 patients (all were converted to sinus rhythm by antiarrhythmic drugs). There were no late deaths or reoperations.


CONCLUSIONS
The inclusion of a right-sided maze procedure with cardiac repair in patients having congenital heart anomalies that cause right atrial dilatation and associated atrial tachyarrhythmias is effective in eliminating or reducing the incidence of those arrhythmias.
Theodoro
D A
DA
Division of Cardiovascular and Thoracic Surgery, Mayo Clinic and Mayo Foundation, Rochester, Minnesota 55905, USA.
Danielson
G K
GK
Porter
C J
CJ
Warnes
C A
CA
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001281:Atrial Fibrillation / Q000601:surgery*; D001282:Atrial Flutter / Q000601:surgery*; D002648:Child; D004437:Ebstein Anomaly / Q000601:surgery; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006330:Heart Defects, Congenital / Q000601:surgery*; D006344:Heart Septal Defects, Atrial / Q000601:surgery; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008722:Methods; D008875:Middle Aged; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000517:prevention & control; D014262:Tricuspid Valve Insufficiency / Q000151:congenital / Q000601:surgery